Page 1171 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

It’s hard to pick up a newspaper, newsmagazine or other serious 1
publication in recent days without some observer of the American

scene speculating that our systems of education, industry or

commerce are in serious decline, that the national backbone is

weakening and that we are losing our collective will to win. Lassitude

and complacency, we are told, are taking over our classrooms,

workplaces and even our research facilities.

Older Americans point with pride to achievements of the men and 2

women of “the Greatest Generation.” They scoff at today’s crop of

young adults, most of who have never lived in a house without central

heat and air conditioning, never mind experienced the rigors of military

service. Are these concerns just another example of the older
generation whining about the young? Or is there reason for genuine

concern?

Certainly the world is changing: In 1950, when baby boomers were 3

starting out, the New York/Newark area was the largest metropolitan
area in the world. By last year, New York had been surpassed by

cities in Japan, India (two) and Mexico. China is said to be ahead of

America in patent creation.

Every educational organization worth its salt has published statistics 4
lamenting an American decline in academic achievement. While our

country remains atop the world, many educators worry that today’s

students are not going to be able to pick up the baton.